October 21, 2004
Contact: Arthur Stamoulis
(215) 567-4004 x222

Local Scientists Speak Out to Protect Roadless National Forests
Science Letter Shows Federal Policies Out of Touch with Sound Science

Philadelphia, PA - More than 125 prominent scientists sent a letter to the U.S. Forest Service this week requesting reinstatement of the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The letter, submitted as an official public comment, details the negative ecological impacts of roads on national forests and the important role roadless areas play in forest conservation and health. The letter was signed by many well-respected experts in the fields of conservation biology and forest ecology, including E.O. Wilson, Jane Goodall and scientists from the Pennsylvania Biological Survey, the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association, Save Biosphere, Pennsylvania State University, the University of Pennsylvania, Dickinson College and Manor College.

The National Forest System contains more than 400,000 miles of official and unofficial roads. The scientists' letter states that these roads "come at substantial ecological costs," including increased erosion, air and water pollution; the spread of invasive species; significant wildlife roadway mortalities; and habitat fragmentation.

"The letter outlines the serious negative impacts roads have on the health of our national forests," said Richard Whiteford, Director of Save Biosphere, an organization working to protect and restore biological diversity. "These problems will only be exacerbated if roadless areas are not protected."

According to the letter, roadless areas provide key elements of a healthy forest ecosystem, such as large parcels of intact old-growth forests; essential habitat for a large variety of both land and aquatic species; "buffer areas" from exotic species invasions; and reservoirs for clean drinking water.

"There is a growing consensus within the scientific community that a strong roadless conservation rule is one of the cornerstones to maintaining the biological integrity in our national forests and to assuring sustainable public lands management," said Whiteford. "The recent proposal to give governors control of roadless areas doesn't provide the uniform protection national forests need."

The Roadless Rule was finalized in January 2001 after years of scientific study, 600 local public hearings and meetings and a record number of public comments. Prior to the current public comment period, the Forest Service received 2.5 million comments in favor of the rule. The Rule protects 58.5 million acres nationwide (including 25,000 acres in Pennsylvania's Allegheny National Forest), while allowing temporary road construction in order to fight wildfires, ensure public safety and protect forest health. The Rule ensures that national forests will continue to provide habitat for fish and wildlife, clean drinking water for millions of Americans, and endless opportunities for recreation. In July the Bush administration proposed replacing the Roadless Rule with a state petition process. That proposal is open for official public comment until November 15.

For a copy of the letter, visit: www.cleanair.org/scientistletter.pdf

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